Visual and Instrumental Color Match of “Cloud-Shade” vs. “one-Shade” Composites

Objectives: To compare the visual and instrumental color match of two “cloud shade” and three “one-shade” resin composites.
Methods: Light, medium and dark shades of two “cloud-shade” composite resins (3ML, 3MM, 3MD; Experimental/3M) and (SSL, SSM, SSD; SimpliShade/Kerr), or three “one shade” resins (OCH; Ominchroma/Tokuyama), (AFX; Admira Fusion x-tra/Voco) and (VDO; Venus Diamond One/Heraeus) were selected as test shades. “Body” opacity shades B1, D2, A2, D3, A4, B3 served as controls (FSU, Filtek Supreme Ultra Universal/3M). “Dual” samples mimicking class I restorations were fabricated, consisted of an outer ring made of control shades (D=10 mm, 4-mm thick), and inner ring holes (D=4 mm, 2-mm deep), filled with test shades. Samples were polished using one-step disk polishers (Pogo/Dentsply) for 40s. Color measurements were performed using a non-contact spectroradiometer. CIEDE2000 color differences were calculated. Visual color evaluations were performed with samples placed in a light viewing booth. Color match was graded from 0 (perfect match) to 4 (severe mismatch). Color difference/visual rating ratios were calculated. The data were analyzed by analysis of variance at the 0.05 level of significance.
Results: CIEDE2000 and CIELAB color differences between test and control composites among dual samples ranged from 3.0 to 9.5. Color differences were the greatest within SS, followed by OCH, 3M, AFX and VDO; Visual rating: the best color match was recorded for 3M, followed by AFX, OCH, SS and VDO. The overall ratio, color difference/visual rating by the brand was as follows: 3M (3.6[0.7]), OCH (3.5[1.0]), SS (3.4[0.9]), AFX (2.9[0.8]) and VDO (1.9[0.6]), where the higher overall ratio corresponded to more pronounced blending.
Conclusions: Visual and instrumental color match between “cloud-shade” and “one-shade” test composites as compared to control shades revealed neither concept (cluster vs. one shade) necessarily provided an advantage. Based on the color difference/visual rating ratio, both cloud-shade materials provide similar color blending, while the difference among the one-shade materials was more pronounced.